Alhaji Abubakar Abdul-Rahman popularly known as Alhaji Short says he withdrew from the race for the National Chairmanship position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) because members of the party at the grassroots want to retain the team that won them the 2016 elections.

In a statement titled, ‘ Why Alhaji Short Has Stepped Down,’ the former aspiring National Chairman said:  “…the overwhelming sentiment on the ground is that the national leadership that steered the party throughout the very difficult times of 2014 and 2015, and led us to victory, must, as much as possible, be maintained.”

That message, according to him, was conspicuous wherever he went during his campaigning.

“So for this reason and being myself a strong regional chairman during those testing times, I have listened to the overwhelming voice of the Party and have decided to step down.

“I do so, throwing my weight behind the “Still Maintain” mantra of the grassroots.  It is for that reason and that reason alone that I have decided to step aside from contesting to be the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party for 2018,” he explained.

The contest is now a straight fight between the acting chairman Freddie Blay and Stephen Ntim following Alhaji Short’s withdrawal.

The ruling NPP will be electing its national executives in July.